Sriracha factory to get visit from Jerry Brown’s office and Irwindale electeds

IRWINDALE>> In what could be a sign that a resolution over the embattled Sriracha factory is near, two Irwindale City Council members, accompanied by representatives from the governor’s office, Tuesday will tour the hot chili sauce plant.

Mayor Mark Breceda, City Councilman Julian Miranda and other city officials will accompany a team from Governor Jerry Brown’s Office of Business and Economic Development on a tour of Tran’s 650,000 square-foot facility that the council voted has created a public nuisance.

“Our hope is that we can reach a compromise that allows the Sriracha plant to move forward and keep these jobs in California,” Brook Taylor, deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, wrote in a statement.

Since Tran became embroiled in a legal battle with the city of Irwindale due to chili odors emanating from his factory, he opened up his factory doors, which were previously closed to the public. Hundreds of Sriracha lovers and community members, including critics, have taken the tour.

Several weeks ago, Tran invited council members to tour his factory.

“(If)The councilmen tomorrow visit my plant, or anytime, tell me by their nose, by their eyes, tell me what I need to try, what I need to do, then I will do,” Tran said. “If they don’t come, it doesn’t matter two weeks or two months, I don’t do anything.”

The city officials and governor’s representatives will also meet privately with Huy Fong executives, according to City Manager John Davidson.

Tran and the city have been in a months-long standoff that began when the city filed a lawsuit in October after residents complained fumes from the factory burned their eyes, induced coughing fits and forced them to stay indoors.

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Amid the strife with the city of Irwindale, several Texas lawmakers have toured the plant and met with Tran in hopes of persuading him to relocate or expand his popular hot sauce business in the Lone Star State.

Davidson said he hoped to be able to announce in the near future that the city has reached an agreement with Huy Fong Foods. The council has twice continued a vote to adopt a resolution that would force Tran to make changes to his factory within 90 days to prevent the odors.

“This is a City Council that has never publicly nor privately stated that they want Huy Fong Foods to leave Irwindale,” said Davidson. “I know that council and staff would welcome the opportunity to do a joint press release with Huy Fong to announce a resolution.”